Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has hinted in his post-match press conference, in the wake of Spurs’ 2-1 home victory over Liverpool that Gareth Bale could be sold.

Bale scored two goals in Spurs’ win at White Hart Lane – a spectacular free-kick that completely outwitted Pepe Reina took Spurs 2-0 ahead before half time, after Aaron Lennon’s tap in from a Bale square-ball after a charging run had opened.

In the second half, however, Bale managed to score an own-goal with his face in much less spectacular fashion in the second half but the goal proved to be nothing more that a consolation prize for Liverpool.

His manager was full of praise and pride in his star player who, with the technique of his free-kick will likely earn himself further comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Players learn through what they see. With Ronaldo we saw that you can almost hit under the ball and it gains an effect where it drops and changes direction,” explained Villas-Boas.

"He has the power to do that. He keeps on practising this technique and we are pleased to have it."

The Welshman came through the ranks at Spurs under Harry Redknapp and in less than a season at left-back had firmly staked him claim as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League.

Subsequently, speculation linking him with a move away from White Hart Lane has intensified with every passing transfer window – this time many reports are linking him with a move to Real Madrid – his boyhood dream is to play in La Liga.

The manager conceded that, inevitably, Spurs might have to let him go.

"Obviously Tottenham as a football club want to keep him here for as long as we can but we understand players like this have propositions and a market which is the nature of the game," he said.

Bale has now taken his season’s goal tally to seven from the flank and his manager is understandably delighted to have him in the team, for now at least.

He added,

"At the moment he is performing extremely well for Spurs and we are amazed at what he can do for us. He is on to a great career."

Jenny Leigh

Jennifer is a freelance writer and filmmaker from London with a great passion for football - the game, the business, and the culture. Jennifer hopes to provide readership with a high standard of news, analysis, and opinion over a range of football events, stories, and issues.